Color and color difference meter



Nov. 6, 1951 R, s, HUNTER 2,574,264

COLOR AND COLOR DIFFERENCEMETER jy-L R. S. HUNTER COLOR AND COLOR DIFFERENCE METER Nov. s, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1949 Nov. 6, 1951 R. s. HUNTER COLOR AND COLOR DIFFERENCE METER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 4, 1949 Patented Nov. 6, 1951 COLOR AND COLOR DIFFERENCE METER Richard S. Hunter, Franklin Park, Va., as-

signor to Henry A. Gardner Laboratory, Inc., Bethesda, Md., a corporation o! the District of Columbia Application March 4, 1949, Serial No. 79.603

22 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to color and color dii'- ference meters and more particularly to a photoelectric tristimulus colorimeter for the direct measurement of three numerical values for the identification of a color by the coordinates of a color solid having scales oi approximately uniiorm color-perception spacing.

The physical properties of a color may be measured with a spectrophotometer but the resultant spectrophotometric curve which shows the spectral transmission or apparent reilectance of the sample is not suillcient to identify the psychological properties oi' the color, i. e. the impressions oi' an observer who views the color sample. The psychological properties of a color are lightness, hue and saturation, i. e. the latter being the attribute of a perceived surface color which determines the degree of its diierence from a gray of the same lightness. Numerical values of these three factors to identify a color may be computed from the three quantities X, Y and Z. the relative amounts of three primary stimuli in the International Commission on Illumination Standard Observer system which are required to color-match the specimen color. It is possible, as I have described in National Bureau of Standards Circular C429, Photoelectric Tristimulus Colorimetry with Three Filters," July 30, 1942, to measure three values A, G and B, with photocells of the barrier layer type which receive light transmitted through or reflected from the color specimen through amber, green and blue filters respectively; the source-filter-photocell combinations being nearly equivalent spectrally to the ICI Standard Observer, whereby the measured values constitute a close approximation to the tristimulus description of the color on the ICI system. A plotting of the tristimulus values of various colors along three mutually perpendicular axes results in a color solid with non-uniform scales oi.' perceptible color differences but, as described in the circular, ordinates may be computed from the measured A, G and B values to ailord uniform scales oi' units which are approximately equal to the minimum spectral difference which an observer can detect.

An object oi' the invention is to provide a photoelectric apparatus for the direct measurement of color or of color diierences on three scales oi units of substantially uniform colorperception dlierence. An object is to provide a photoeletcric tristimulus colorixneter for the direct measurement of t-hree numerical values for the identiilcation oi a color on a perceptively uniform color-difference basis. An object is to provide a color or color difference meter for the direct measurement of three values for the identitication of a color in terms of lightness or apparent reflectance and o! two chromatic dimensions, or for the direct measurement of the magnitude on the three scales of the color dliierence between a specimen and a standard. An object is to provide a color and color diiierence meter including three circuits for the measurement of three values significant of the color of the specimen under investigation; at least one of the measuring circuits including a plurality oi photocells which receive light from the color specimen through illters of diierent spectral transmission.

These and other objects and the advantages oi the invention will be apparent from the iollowing specification when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the ordinates of a color solid;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a color and color dlii'erence meter embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a simplied equivalent diagram of the measuring circuit established by the adjustment of the switches as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the exposure head as seen with the rear cover removed:

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section substantially on a plane through the light source;

Fig. 6 is a substantially central vertical section through the exposure head; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary circuit diagram of comparison circuits for measuring the lightness L of specimens.

'I'he invention may-be best understood by first considering a color solid constructed on three mutually perpendicular axes; the vertical axis being the neutral gray or lightness axis L, and the horizontal axes a, b being signiiicant of the chromaticity of the color. As shown in Fig. l, the maximum lightness or white" is units on the vertical axis L, and no lightness or black,

lis zero. 0n the a axis. positive values are red,

zero is gray, and negative values are green. On the b axis, positive values are yellow, zero is gray, and negative values are blue. Various systems have been proposed, as described in Bureau of Standards Circular C429, for deriving values such as L, a and b from tristimulus colorimetry measurements of X, Y and Z on the ICI Standard Observer system or of A, B and G on the photoeiectric systems described in the circular, the new values serving to designate rolor on coordinate scales which give perceptively nearly uniform measures of stimulus diiierence. According The fo factor is essential for a system of uniform perceptibility units since the relation between perceptual saturation and the reflectance differences in the foregoing equations varies with reflectance Rd. f

The invention will ,first be described in detail with respect to an exposure head and a circuit network for measuring the equivalent gray value of a specimen in terms of luminous apparent reilectance Ra With one modification .of thisv apparatus it is possible toobtain direct reading of L, a and b on scales very similar to those of Equations l to 4. In terms of the prior tristimulus colorimetry values A, G and B, these similar values of color are given by the equations:

1ooG= ifi-V 1001/6 v (5) 1 .oA-G 0.208 6 a N@(08 -i- J2 f b-N/iG B) (7) The square root of the luminous apparent reflectance G is known to correlate well with ob-l servers estimates vof the lightness L. In Equations to '7,

has thus been substituted for the similar fc. function expressed in Equation 4.

Assuming, for present purposes of description, that light from a constant color-temperature source E illuminates a comparison photocell CP through an energy-adjusting choke or diaphragm D, and also. is reflected from aspecimen S into a diffusing enclosure i, the filter-photocell cornbinations and measuring circuits may be arranged as shown schematically in Fig. 2. The diffusing enclosure i is lined inside with magnesium oxide, a non-selective nearly perfect white and is provided with windows or openings of graduated sizes through which filter-photocell assemblies receive light reflected from the test specimen.

A photocell PR with a green filter G is supported on a housing 2 in which the diffusing enclosure i is located, and the opening |00 for admitting light to the photocell PR has an area or cross-section, with respect to the openings for passing light to the other photocells, such that the measured value of light incident upon the photocell PR is equal to Rd of Equation 1.

An assembly Pa of two photocells P for measurementof the value a is mounted upon a plate 3 which is hinged to a support l secured to the housing 2. The plate 3 may be tilted by a screw 5, in opposition to a biasing spring i. to adjust the respective photocells in opposite sense with respect to window openings |15 in the wall of the diffusing enclosure. One photocell P of this combination is provided with a green filter G and the other is provided with an amber filter A and a blue filter B, the amber filter A overlying 0.8 of the photocell and the blue filter B overlying` 0.2 of Athe photocell, The photocells are connected in opposition and the net current output of the combination is a function of note Equation 2.

A second assembly Pb of two photocells P is mounted on a plate l hinged to a support l and adjustable by a screw S in opposition to a biasing spring Il. One photocell P of this assembly is provided with a green filter G and the' other is provided with a blue filter B, the photocells being connected in opposition and exposed to light from the diffusing enclosure I through window openings 10. y

Although reference numerals |00, |15 and lll are employed to designate the openings through which light reflected from a specimen is admitted to photocell PR and photocell combinations LPa and Pb, it is to be noted that the relative areas sponse of spectral sensitivity of the several light 4 source-filter-photocell combinations. This departure from window openings of the relative areas of the Equation constants is essential since the light source does not have an equal energy output for all wavelengths, the photocells do not have an equal energy output over the light spectrum, and the different filters do not have the same integrated light transmissions. The factor fc. of Equation 4 is introduced into the measurements of the values a and b by first measuring the value Ra of the apparent reflectance of the test specimen, as will be explained hereinafter.

The comparison photocell CP is illuminated directly by the light source E to develop a constant value comparison current of an order substantially higher than the currents developed by the photocell PR and photocell combinations Pa and Pb which are illuminated indirectly from the light source E by light venergy reflected from or transmitted through the specimen under examination. The qualification that the photocell CP is "directly" illuminated by the light source signifies only that the light energy incident upon that photocell is not affected by the specimens under test, and it is not intended to exclude the use of the adjustable diaphragm D or of filters (to be described later) for controlling the magnitude and/or the spectral composition of the light energy reaching the photocell CP from the light source. The current output of photocell CP is therefore a preselected fixed quantity, and the magnitudes of the specimen-determined current outputs of the other photocells may be measured as percentages of that fixed quantity.

Current-comparing measuring circuits which are brought into operation in preselected sequence by switching means are established by an electrical network which willnow be described in detail. The positive terminal of the comparison photocell CP is connected by lead Il, II to one terminal of each of the several potentiometers Ra, Ra and Rb, and the other terminal of the comparison photocell CP is connected through lead I2 and jumper I2' to the contact arms of two banks SWI and SW2 of a multibank threepoint switch SW. The positive terminal of the comparison photocell CP is also connected by leads I3, I8' to one terminal of a galvanometer I4 shunted by a resistance network R having spaced points connected to the high and low sensitivity contacts H, L respectively of a sensitivity-adjusting switch S'. The arm of switch S is connected to the contact arm of a three-point switch SW3 having contacts connected to the positive potential leads I5, Il and I1 of the photocell or photocell combinations PR, Pa and Pb by leads Iild, Ia and Itb, respectively; such leads being also connected through resistors R4, Rl and R2 to the contact arms of the potentiometers Re, Ra and Rb respectively. The negative potential leads I9, and 2i from the photocell PR and the photocell combinations Pa and Pb are connected to the terminals of potentiometers Rd, R. and Rb, to which the positive potential terminal oi' the comparison photocell CP is connected by leads II and Il'. The photocell combinations Pa and Pb each include two photocells P connected in opposition, and the polarity of the leads from these combinations may reverse for differentl surface colors. Polarity reversing switches SR are therefore provided between the leads from the photocell combinations Pa, Pb and the leads I6, 20 and i1, 2|, respectively, of the measuring circuit in which the net current output of each photocell combination is to be opposed to and balanced by a fraction of the current output from the comparison photocell CP.

The contact points of switch SW2 are connected by leads 22d, 22a and 22h to the second terminals of the potentiometers Rd, Re and Rb respectively, and the switch SW2 thus serves to connect the comparison photocell CP across a selected one of the potentiometers according to the adjustment of the switch. The third switch SWI, which is ganged to switches SW2 and SW3 as indicated schematically by the broken line 23, serves to connect a potentiometer Rv across the comparison photocell CP through a resistor 24 to introduce the factor fo in the measurement of the values a and b, respectively. The contact arm of potentiometer Rv is connected to and actuated by the contact arm of the potentiometer Rd through a mechanical connection indicated schematically by the broken line 25. For equal photocell current response for measurements of the three values, the potentiometer Ra is shunted by a resistor Rs of a iixed value equal to the maximum value of potentiometer Rv.

The values Rd, a and b are essentially reilectance or transmission values and they are measured, as were the reflectance values A. B and G in the prior tristimulus photoelectric colorimetry systems, in terms of the fractions of the current output of the comparison photocell CP which exactly balance the current outputs of the photocell PR and photocell combinations Pa, Pb respectively. These current balances are obtained by adjusting the contact arms of the potentiometers Re, Ra and Rb respectively, to bring the pointer oi galvanometer I4 to its zero center position. these balance adjustments being made in succession with the contact arms of the switch bank SW first set at the irst point Re of the indicator scale I, and than at points a and b.

The circuit connections established when the switch bank SW is adjusted, as shown in Fig. 2, for measurement of the luminous reilectance value Rd, are redrawn in simplified form in Fig. 3. Switch S' is normally set at contact L for low galvanometer sensitivity and is moved to the high sensitivity contact H only after the contact arm o! potentiometer Re is adjusted to obtain an approximate balance. The comparison photocell CP is connected directly across the terminals of the potentiometer R4 by leads II, I2, the positive lead II being connected to the potentiometer terminal X to which the negative lead I! from the photocell PR is connected. The contact arm of the potentiometer is connected through resistor R4 to the positive lead I5 from photocell PR at point Y which, through lead Ild. is connected to the sensitivity control switch S' of the galvanometer I4. The other terminal of the salvanometer I4 is connected through leads Il', I3 and II to point X. The galvanometer is thus connected across points X and Y, and responds to any voltage difference between these points. The contact arm of potentiometer Ra is adjusted to bring the galvanometer needle substantially to zero, and switch S is then adjusted to the high sensitivity contact for the iinal setting oi' the contact arm to obtain a voltage balance' across points X and Y. The contact arm is adjustable by an accurately graduated, and prei'- erably a ten-turn dial, not shown, from which the value Ra may be read.

The total resistance of the potentiometer Ra is small in comparison with the resistance R4 in series with the contact arm, and the potential drop between the zero or X end and the sliding contact supplies a small current through the high resistance R4 to balance the current from the measuring photocell PR. In one embodiment ot the invention, the potentiometers have a resistance oi' 100 ohms, and the resistors in series with the sliding contact arms each have a resistance of 8000 ohms. With these resistance relationships, the balancing currents derived from the potentiometers are proportional to the eiective variable resistances of the potentiometers within one or two tenths of a percent oi the angular adjustments of the sliding contacts as indicated by the dial settings.

In the setting of the sliding contact arm of potentiometer Ra to measure the luminous reectance Rd of a specimen, the contact arm oi' potentiometer Rv is also adjusted, but this adjustment has no effect upon the measurement of the value Rd. Upon shifting the switch SW for a measurement of the value a or b, the potentiometer Rv is shunted across the comparison photocell CP by the switch SWI. The measuring circuits for determining the chromaticity values a and b are essentially circuits similar to the simple comparison circuit of Fig. 3, but modified by shunting a variable portion o! the comparison photocell current around the measuring potentiometer by the potentiometer Rv, thereby to introduce the factor fo which varies with the lightness L or luminous reflectance Rd oi' the specimen. The relative values of the resistances of the potentiometer Rv and resistor 24 determine the value of the factor fo as a function oi' the setting of the potentiometer Ra. When potentiometer Rv has a total resistance of ohms and resistor 24 has a resistance of 4 ohms, the combination develops a factor fo oi' the value indicated by Equation 4. The circuits for measuring the values a and b also include the polarity 7 reversing switches SR to obtain a net output from the photocell combinations Pa and Pb of a polarity opposite to that developed by the corri--V parison photocell CP. l

It is of course essential that source 'to eliminate errors from changes in the color temperature of the light source. A fully charged storage battery or an electronically controlled constant-voltage source may be employed, but the particular design of the voltage source for energizingthe light source Eforms no part of the'l the'light source or Y lamp -E be op'rrated fromva 'constant-voltage-A reflectance or lightness the deflections of the galvanometer pointer .are proportional to the magnitude of color differences. The described apparatus may therefore be employed for the measurement of color differences by setting the potentiometers Rs. R. and Rs to the several known values of a standard color, and then placing an unknown specimens in position to pass light from source E into the diffusing chamber I. On adjusting the multiple bank switch SW in turn to its three measuring positions, the several indications of the galvanometer I4 show the magnitude. on the three scales, of the color difference between the unknown specimen and the standard.

The apparatus is conditioned or calibrated for measurement of color or of color difference values by placing a white standard specimen upon a specimen-supporting plate, for example a standard white having known values of R=73.0, a=-l.2 and b=1.3. The gang switch SW is set to its flrst point for a measurement of luminous reflectance Rd and the light energy incident upon the comparison phofocell CP is adjusted, by adjusting the diaphragm D, to obtain a balance or zero deflection at galvanometer I4 with the contact arm of potentiometer Ra set at the known value of Rar-73.0. The switch SW is then adjusted for measurement of the value a, the potentiometer R. is set at lthe known value ==l2, and the photocell combination Pa is adjusted angularly by the screw 5 to obtain a balance at the galvanometer. The switch SW is then set for measurement of the value b, the known value is set on potentiometer Rs, and the photocell combination is adjusted by screw l to obtain a balance.

The amber-blue ratio of the photocell P of the combination Pa must then be checked for accuracy of the relative ratios of the amber and blue filter components. A standard lavender-blue specimen having a low a-value, for example Rd=16 and a=0.4, is then placed on the plate 33, the known Ra setting is made on potentiometer R4 and switch SW is adjusted for measurement of the value a. If the reading of potentiometer R. at a balance is more negative than the known value of a= -D.4, the blue component must be increased and the amber component must be reduced. If the measured reading is more ypositive than -0.4, the blue component must be reduced and the amber component must be increased. The desired ratio of the blue and am-ber fllter components is determined by a series of successive approximations since, for each change in their relative areas, the apparatus must be again standardized on a known white specimen before checking the accuracy of the blue-amber ratio.

8 The mechanical assemblyof `and panel ar rangement for the adjustable electrical elements, switches and potentiometers, are not important features of the invention-.butin general. it is preferred to locate the measuring system in a box or housing which may be placed on a laboratory table or' workbench andwhich serves `as a support for the housing 2 within'whlch thelight source E. the diffusing chamber I and the several photocells are located'.

The housing 2 is a sheet metal box with a smaller box or sub-housing 2l detachably secured to thefront wall thereof to house the lightsource or lamp E and the comparison photocell CP. ,The upper and lower walls of sub-housing 2l are pro-v vided with ventilating openings across which light-intercepting hainesv 21, .2l respectively are supported in spaced relation.' The socket or mounting plate 2! for the lamp bulb E is carried by one end of a resilient metal strap 3l. the

other end of the strap being secured to the top wall of the sub-housing 26, whereby the position of the lamp filament may be `adjusted vertically by a screw 3I which is threaded through the upper wall to contact the strap Il. A removable domed cover 32 for aii'ordingvaecess to the bulb E is secured to the sub-housing 25.

The comparison photocell CP is supported within the lower portion of the housing 24 by a bracket or strap 33 mounted on the front wall of the housing 2, and a heat-absorbing fllter F is held over the photocell by a resilient clamping frame 34 having side flanges which snap over the sides of the photocell. A partition plate 3i shields the photocell CP from direct illumination by the lamp bulb E, and the forward edge of the plate 35 is deeply notched for ventilation and to pass a beam of rays from bulb E to a mirror or polished metal plate 3i for reflection to the photocell. The mirror 36 is hinged to the front wall of housing 26, and is adjustable angularly by a screw 31 in opposition to a biasing spring 38 to control the light energy reaching the photocell; this adjustment of the mirror 36 beinav equivalent to the energy-control adjustment of the diaphragm D of Fig. 2.

An apertured plate 39 of a black, matte-surfaced plastic is secured over an opening in the upper wall of the housing 2 to support a specimen S which is to be measured for color or for color difference from a known standard. The top surface of the plate 39 is accurately planar, and the specimen S may be resiliently clamped nat upon the supporting plate 3! by a flat plate 40 having a ball-and-socket connection 4I `to a resilient supporting arm 42 which is bent downwardly for insertion in a socket formed by a strap 43 welded to the back'wall of the housing 2.

Lenses 44 are supported by a V-shaped plate 45 to direct light beams from lamp E into the housing 2 for reflection by mirrors 4l toward the opening of the specimen-supporting plate II. The mirrors are mounted on the opposite side walls of the housing 2 by resilient metal straps 41 and are angularly adjustable by pairs of screws 48 to direct light beams towards the specimen S from opposite directions at angles of 45. The position of the light bulb E is adjustable vertically with respect to the lenses 44 bymeans of the screw 3l, to control the points of impact o! the light beam upon the mirrors 46. The diffusing chamber I is supported on and below a transverse wall 48 within housing 2, and light reflected downwardly from the specimen S reaches the diffusing chamber through a fluted lens Il and an upper cylindrical chamber The upper wall oi' the diifusing chamber l is a plate 52 with a central opening formed by a short cylindrical nange Il. Light rays incident upon the iluted lens It are focusedV topass through the cylindrical passage or-ilange 5l to strike vthe lower hemispherioffthediiiusingchamber. Theinner walls of the chamber I are'coatedwith magnesium .oxide to ,promote diffuse *.reilectlon.

,but the walls of thezupper' chamberfeh lofthe-housings'lfan'tl- 26 are blackmatt `.surfacesto prevent reflection oi'light. jf '1 g e v'The specimens lto be measuredfor'surface color A 4maybe sheets or'plates` of thesameor of .differ-vv c ent colors in different areas, for 'example' theyv accesos *electrical characteristic of the measurmg cnemt may be sheets of paper upon which' pictures are e' printed in color. 'lo facilitate the llocation o'i v.the area of interest in the path of the light beams reflected from the mirrors ,.the front wallof the housing I is provided with an opening 54 which is normally covered by a door or closure,

The same exposure head may be employed for measurement of vthe lightness L by a simple change inthe electrical connections of the comparison photocell CP into the measuring network. As shown in Fig. 7, the positive terminal of the photocell CP is connected, as in the Fig. 2 circuit, to one terminal of potentiometers- R1., Re

the potentiometer Rv by lead I3. Potentiometer Rx. is the identical potentiometer Rd of the Fig. 2 circuit but. for convenience and clarity in description, it is identified by character Rx. in Fig. 7. The n egative lead i2 is connected to the contact arm of potentiometer Rv in the Fig. 7 circuit, reslstor Rs and switch SWI areomitted, and the second terminal of potentiometer Rv is directly connected to the contact arm of switch SW2 by a lead I2a. With this new circuit arrangement, the switch SW2 connects the potentiometer Rv across the potentiometer R1. when the switch is set for a measurement with that potentiometer and, as in the Fig. 2 circuit, connects the potentiometer Rv across potentiometer R. or Rb at the other switch positions.

The potentiometers Rx. and Rv are adjusted simultaneously since they are the sameZ-gang 100 ohm potentiometer assembly which is included in the Fig. 2 circuit, and inspection of the Fig. 7 measuring circuit indicates that the counterclockwise displacement of the contact arm of potentiometer Rr. from its lower or "100" position to balance the current output of the photocell PR for any given specimen will be substantially less than the displacement of the contact arm of potentiometer Re of Fig. 2 for the same specimen. One-half of the current output of the comparison photocell CP flows continuously through potentiometer R4 of the Fig. 2 circuit, whereas the comparison photocell current through potentiometer RL. of the Fig. '1 circuit varies with the ganged adjustment of the contact arms of potentiometers Rr. and Rv, being one-half when the contact arms are set at the 100 or lower terminals (as seen in Fig. 7) and zero when the contact arms are set at their respective upper terminals. Quantitatively,

sofi... v o.

sincer tnevnghtness value1. is measured mst and and Rb by leads Il, Il, and 00 one terminal 0f.

1 'whenfRa .was :the setting the 2 .circuitin measuringv the luminous ap parent reilecta'nce of the same specimen. In- @other words, the light index L .of the specimen' of Fig; 7111's. with the F18. 2 measuring circuit 'and for any given specimen, that the potcntiometer Rv of Fis. 7 inmuces the factor 'as measuredwithythe 7 circuit is: v

the setting of potentiometer Rv isnot changed during vthe subsequent measurement of -the chromaticity values a and b, the factor of Equations. 2 and 3 to take account of the perceptual variation of color with luminous apparent reflectance or lightness.

VJ.The diffusing chamber may well be omitted when the specimens to be measured or compared are all of the same general surface configuration. The function of the diilusing chamber is to eliminate variations in magnitude which would arise from diilerent geometrical compositions of the surfaces from which light is reected towards the photocells. The measuring methods of the invention may be employed, by appropriate location of the light source with respect to the specimen, for the evaluation of volume colors for transmission measurements or for the evaluation of the colors of self-luminous objects for measurements of radiant flux.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment .herein shown and described, and various modifications which may occur to those familiar with the design and construction of photoelectrio color-measuring apparatus fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a color and color difference meter, means for supporting a specimen, a comparison photocell, 'a light source for illuminating a specimen and said comparison photocell, a diffusion chamber receiving light from a specimen positioned on said specimen supporting means, a plurality of photocell means provided with filters of different tristimulus characteristics, said diffusion chamber being provided with openings through which light is transmitted to the several photocell means, and a measuring circuit network for measuring the equivalent gray value and the chromaticity of the specimen on three scales of substantially uniform perceptibility; said measuring circuit network including switch means adiustable to establish a desired one of three measuring circuits which each include a selected photocell means and a potentiometer adjustable to balance the current output of the selected photothe cell means by a fraction of the current output of attributeof the specimen.

Iagreniilter.- l A,

3. Iniafcolor andcolor difference' meter, the

a said comparison photocell; each potentiometer invention as recited in claim 2,v wherein said measuring circuit" established by saidv switch means for measuringthe equivalent gray value of a specimen includesj circuit elements by which the adjustment of the contact arm of the po- -tentiometer of thatmeasuring `circuit to obtain a current balance is a function of G, where G is luminousfapparent reflectance of the specimen as measured `by a photncell provided with a green tristixnulus filter.

4. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim 2, wherein said measuring circuit established by said switch means for measuring the equivalent gray value of a specimen includes circuit elements by which the adjustment of the contact arm of the potentiometer of that measuring circuit to obtain a current balance is a function of \/Gl wherein G is luminous apparent reflectance of the specimen as measured by a photocell provided with a green tristimulus filter.

5. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim l, wherein one of said photocell means includes a pair of photocells connected in current opposition, and the filters of said photocells have different tristimulus color transmission characteristics.

6. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim 5, wherein the filter means over one cell includes a pair of filters of different color transmission characteristics.

'1. In a color and color difference meter. the invention as recited in claim 5, wherein said filter means includes amber, green and blue filters.

8. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim 5, wherein said filter means comprises a green filter over one photocell and a blue filter over the second photocell.

9. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim 5, wherein said filter means comprises a green filter over one photocell and a combination amber and blue filter over the other photocell.

10. In a color and color diiTerence meter, a housing including means for supporting a constant color-temperature specimen, a light source for illuminating a specimen placed on said supporting means, a comparison photocell directly illuminated by said light source to develop a constant value comparison current. a plurality of photocell means positioned to receive light from a specimen illuminated by said light source, ltersof different tristimulus transmission characteristics over theindividual photocell means, one photocell means having thereover a green filter conditioning said photocell means te develop a current proportional to the apparent reiiectance or equivalent gray value of the speci- .men under test and a second photocell means having thereover filters of vdifferent tristimulus l2 characteristics conditioning said second photocell means to develop a current proportional on a scale of uniform perceptibility units to a chromaticity value of the specimen under test. and a measuring circuit network for measuring the current outputs of the individual photocell means in'fterms of thev fractions of the constant value comparisonv current which` equal ,and areofopposits polarity tofthegcfurrent outputsofthe; 1n- 10.

diyidual photocell means; saidy measuringjeirfcuit network .including `a fpotentionieter individual to' eachzi lphystocelljmeans 1 a'ncijeach including' a resistance Nelemeiii'fiyld..contactarm ad- "justable, along theI same, ,[circuit' elements connecting eachlphotocelljmeans' between one end of its poter'iti'ometaer.l resistance y and, the'contact arml thereOLfcircuit meansffo'r establishing throughthe individual potentiometer resistance elements currents developed'by saidcomparison photocell, and indicating'ameansincluding a relatively movable graduated' scaleand index elements individual'to said' potentiometers andactuated lby displacement` of the lcontact arms thereof, ywhereby adjustment of v said contact arms to balance the opposingfpolarit'y currents of said comparisonph'otocell and said photecell vmeans results in indicated scale values of the apparent reflectance and of a. chromaticity value of the specimen undertest on scales of uniform perceptibility units.

l1. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim l0, wherein said second photocell means comprises a pair of and an amber lter extends over another portion of the same photocell.

14. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim 10, in combination with a mirror supported on said housing for viewing a specimen on said supporting means, said housing having an opening for viewing said mirror, and a door movable te close said opening.

15. In a color and color difference meter, the invention as recited in claim l0. in combination with adjustable means controlled by adjustment of the tap of the potentiometer of said first photocell means to vary the current established through thel resistance element of the potentiometer of the second photocell means as a function of the apparent reflectance of the specimen under test as determined by the current output of said first photncell means.

16. In a color and color difference meter. the invention as recited in claim l5, wherein said adjustable means comprises an additional potentiometer including a resistance element and a contact arm adjustable along the same, means mechanically connecting the contact arms of said additional potentiometer and said rpotentiometer individual to said first photocell means, the contact arm of said additional potentiometer being grounded upon one end of the resistance element thereof; and said circuit means includes circuit elements for connecting said comparison photocellk across theresistance 'element of said 13 additional potentiometer, and circuit elements for connecting the resistance element of the potentiometer individual to said second photocell means across the resistance element of said additional potentiometer.

17. In a color and color dierence meter, th invention as recited in claim 10, wherein said circuit means includes switch means adjustable to establish a current irom said comparison photocell through a desired one o! the potentiometers individual to said photocell means.

18. In a color and color dierence meter, the invention as recited in claim l0, wherein said circuit elements connecting said second photocell means to its potentiometer include a polari reversing switch.

19. In a color and color difference meter, a light source of constant color-temperature for illuminating a specimen, a diilusion chamber into which light is transmitted from the specimen, a

comparison photocell directly illuminated byv said light source, said diffusion chamber having a plurality of openings through the wall thereof, a photocell covered by a green lter receiving light through one'oi said openings and thereby developing a current output proportional to-.the luminous reflectance oi the specimen, measuring means to measure the current output of said photocell as a fraction oi the current output of said comparison photocell, photocell means positioned adjacent said diffusing chamber for illumination through another opening thereof, iilter means over said photocell means and vincluding sections of diiierent tristimulus characteristics. and a measuring circuit for measuring the current output o! said photocell means as a fraction of the current output of said comparison photocell, said measuring circuit including a' potentiometer comprising a resistance element and a tap adjustable along the same, circuit means for establishing through said resistance element by said comparison photocell a current dependent upon the luminous reiiectance oi the specimen as determined by adjustment of said measuring means, circuit elements connecting said photocell means between one end of and the tap on said resistance element to establish between said end and tap a current of oppomte polarity to that established by said comparison photocell, and afgalvanometer i'or indicating by a zero read- 14 ing an equality of the opposed polarity currents established in said potentiometer resistance eiement by said comparison photocell and said photocell means. Y

20. In a color and color diilerence meter, the

invention as recited in claim 19, wherein said circuit means includes a second potentiometer having a resistance element connected across said comparison photocell and a tap adjustable along said resistance element and grounded on one end thereof, circuit elements connecting one end and the tap oi' said second potentiometer across the resistance element of the rst potentiometer. and means operable by adjustment of said measuring means to measure luminous reiiectance to adjust the tap of said second potentiometer along the resistance element thereof, thereby to vary the comparison photocell current through the resistance element of said first potentiometer as a function oi the measured luminous reilectance of the specimen.

2l. In a color and color diilerence meter. the invention as recited in claim-19, wherein said photocell means comprises 'a pair of photocells kconnected in current opposition and provided with iilters of diierent color transmission characteristics.

22. In a color and color diii'erence meter, the invention as recited in claim 19, wherein a green illter is arranged over one of said photocells, and a combination amber-bluelter is arranged over the other photocell.

RICHARD S. HUNTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,971,317 Sheldon et al. Aug. 21, 1934 2,015,675 Hays Oct. 1, 1935 2,064,517 Brice Dec. 15, 1936 2,114,867 Wilson Apr.' 19, 1938 2,159,181 Ryder May 23, 1939 2,244,826 Cox -s June 10, 1941 2,245,034 Harrison June 10, 1941 2,375,966 Valensi May 15. 1945 2,417,321 Park et al. V.- Mar. 11, 1947 2,471,750 Hunter May 31, 1949 

